The Legacy of French Neo-Colonialism in Africa

The Legacy of French Neo-Colonialism in Africa: Post-Colonial Agreements and Their Impact

Following World War II, France was determined to retain its empire in Africa despite a growing wave of decolonization across Africa and Asia. While many colonies fought for independence, France resisted, often responding with violence, as seen in conflicts in Algeria, Madagascar, and Vietnam.

By the 1960s, France began granting independence to its African colonies, but these came with significant conditions. African nations were required to sign “cooperation agreements” that gave France control over their natural resources, permitted French military presence on their soil, and obligated them to adopt the CFA Franc as their currency. Although France portrayed these agreements as voluntary, they heavily favored French interests.

Guinea, under the leadership of Ahmed Sékou Touré, rejected these terms in favor of full sovereignty. In response, France cut off all aid to Guinea and actively worked to destabilize its government. This campaign severely damaged Guinea’s development, leaving the country struggling to recover.

To this day, countries using the CFA Franc face limited monetary sovereignty. Since the currency is pegged to the euro, these nations remain economically dependent on France, restricting their ability to pursue independent financial policies.